HORSESHOE COMPENDIUM

eliminate any tie matches, and since five men on a side seemed too few, and nine men on a side seemed too many, the number seven seemed to be ideal.
Rule 8 was compiled from the National Secretary's long- experience with team matches, and we believe it is self-explanatory.
Rule 10 has been the subject of many questions, most of them dealing with the $10.00 entry fee. Most inquiries deal with what will be done with the money. Well, to begin with the National Association has taken upon itself an extra task involving a great deal of labor, a few more books for records, and good deal more postage. All the expenses connected with the league will be taken out of the entry fees, and the balance can be used for whatever the majority of teams desire it lo be used for. On each team's contract they will be asked to state what they want the money to be used for. A suggestion would be to use it for defraying part of the expenses of bringing the division winners together, or put it up in cash prizes to be played for by the winners. Any other suggestions will be welcome.
Rule 12 has been the favorite subject for letters received. Some states have written in saying that they would like to enter teams in this league, but could not see their way to barring the members of these teams from state league competition or, local league play. Now we wish to make one thing clear we simply say, "It is REQUESTED that no member of a National League team play on a state league team," etc. We do not POSITIVEL Y wish to bar any person from playing in as many leagues as he wishes to play in.
This rule can be left up to each state association to interpret, and since they are more familiar with their own conditions, they can decide if they will allow a pitcher to play in both leagues or only in one. Some of the states may find it to their advantage to allow men to participate in only one league. In Michigan, for example, the seven best pitchers from Detroit would be able to whip any other Michigan team with ease, but the second best seven in Detroit would be about on a pal' with the smaller towns. Also, in the local league in Detroit, with the cream, of the pitchers barred from league play, the league would find itself better balanced. To repay these men for the loss of local league play, there would be an all-star individual league formed among the better players, and this should be more interesting to them, and more beneficial to their development since they will be meeting stronger players at all times.
Plans along this same line can be worked out in other large cities, and we feel certain that the result will be newer and greater interest aroused in horseshoes.